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Five minute breather with Kieran Rowland…

Father-of-two Kieran Rowland hasn’t always been active, but now he has the bug. He has shed 10kg in 12 months by moving any way he can. His next goals are adventure racing and getting on the Stand-Up Paddleboard, and plans to drag the whole family along for the ride.

“I have kids now and my wife and kids deserve a fit and healthy husband and father”

Occupation: I have a frustrating job in LNG construction.

How are you getting going at the moment? My motivation is at an all-time high, and I’ve gotten past the “it’s too hard stage”, so currently I’m doing weights six to seven times a week, plus swimming, spin classes, running, and bike riding with my family when I’m home.

What activity makes you the happiest and why? I haven’t found one yet, but I really want to try an adventure race because of all the different disciplines: I love the ocean, the trail running really interests me, and I’ve recently just purchased a mountain bike and joined the Rockwheelers club.

Have you always been active? Sadly no. When I finished school, I stopped playing sport – that was 16 years ago. It’s only been in the past 12 months that I’ve decided to get fit and active. I have kids now and my wife and kids deserve a fit and healthy husband and father. I want us to be an active family that really enjoys getting out there.

Are you a morning or afternoon mover? Generally an afternoon one when at work – getting up and organised for work while in camp doesn’t leave much time to do much in the mornings. When I’m home, it’s whenever I get a chance – morning or afternoon – I’m easy (although those morning sleep ins are great when on R&R… until the kids wake up).

What’s your favourite thing to do on a weekend in Townsville? When we get our Stand Up Paddleboards it will be getting out on the water with my wife and kids as much as I can, be it The Strand, Pallarenda or Ross River.

Your most motivating tune? The app called ‘Rock my Run’ has everything covered. Currently I’m loving the playlist called ‘Twerk my run 2’, also ‘Rockin 80s’ and ‘Sunrun 14’.

Motivational quote? “You have to want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe” (Eric Thomas). I also watch Eric’s videos on YouTube. One specifically is called ‘Be phenomenal or be forgotten’ – I could listen to that all day every day, it’s so inspiring that I recommend everyone watch/listen to it at least once. If you’re struggling to get up and go, it will motivate you to do it.

How do you pep yourself up when you’re craving the couch? Between my study, home duties, kids and getting out there, it doesn’t leave much time for that, but if I want that couch time, I take it, but set a limit: watch that show or that footy game then get up. Life is too short to veg on the couch for too long.

Do you prefer to get active solo, or with a buddy? Normally solo, but knowing so many people at work we always seem to be at the gym together – I generally branch off and do my own thing though. When I’m home my wife and I hit the gym together.

Most annoying fitness fad? CrossFit, although it’s probably not a fad.

Best active moment? Running in the Run Townsville event in June – that was my first ever run event and I did the 6km in a PB of 34 minutes. I’m now down under 30 minutes.

What’s something we don’t know about you? Seeing sick kids is something that pulls on my heartstrings so heavily it’s indescribable. So in 2009 a couple of mates and I decided to raise money for one month while working overseas in a third world country and donate it all to the Starlight Foundation of Australia so they could grant wishes to the kids. We raised over $50,000 from a workforce of just over 350 people. It was one of the best times of my life and seeing us being able to grant six wishes was just an amazing feeling. I was also the second highest fundraiser for this year’s Run Townsville coming in behind the amazing little Ruby McDonald who was the child ambassador for the event.

What’s your next goal? As a new member of Townsville Rockwheelers’ I intend to ride in as many events that I can, with a plan of having a crack at the Paluma Push next year. Plus, my wife and I both really enjoy SUP so I can see a couple of boards in the shed one day soon – it’s something I’d love to get into and maybe do a bit of competitive stuff one day, like a marathon distance ocean paddle.

Who would you most like to train with? I talk to my Aunty who lives in New Zealand a lot about all this fitness stuff – she has done the full length Ironman event in Taupo and is currently my swim advisor from afar, so I’d love to have her here to train with.

The training advice I wish I’d listened to was… Don’t ever give up. It won’t get easier, but you will get better at it and the rewards are very much worth it.

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Carly Lubicz is combining two of her great loves — writing and getting active. Previously working as a journalist, sub-editor, and editor in newspapers and magazines; she is editor and co-founder of TheGo Townsville. She stays active with the staples of road cycling and yoga, but has recently discovered triathlon. And become addicted (apart from the swimming part). She also has a Cert III in Fitness and is passionate about improving mental health through physical activity.